Atomic Bomb

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Wednesday 8 August 1945, 4:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had a busy day but didn't do a lick of dentistry.  To attend to some recreation matters, I took the picket boat into town this morning.  It was 11:30 before I got back.  Washed up and had chow.

          After lunch there was a meeting of all division officers in the captain's cabin.  Then I went to work and finished the wardroom statement.

          The mail brought me four letters and the cutting head for my Schick.  Now I'll be okay till the other shaver arrives.  Three of the letters were from you Sweet and the other was Deb and Dave's baby announcement.

          You are continuously complaining about Betty's inefficiency.  Can she really be trusted with the girls?  I often wonder about that.

          I'll go to work on the lockets.  I think I can work something out for the whole family.

          I do hope Jimmy is right too.  If his experience has been the same a mine as to dental officers going back early maybe it is becoming a general policy with the bureau.  Anyway with the new atomic bomb and all, maybe the Japs will give up in a few days and we'll all be coming home.  What a wonderful thought.

          I'm saving the $100.  I really want to be there when you buy your fur coat and maybe I'll have enough saved by the time I get back to be able to pay for it in full.

          The reason I'm writing early is because I'm going over to the club with a group of officers this evening.  We don't drink much but we have a lot of fun singing and talking and telling stories. Tsk, tsk.

          No more for now Darling so I'll sign off.  Goodnight and pleasant dreams.

Love,

Gil

Town Scenes--Leyte

God is My Co-Pilot

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Sunday 15 July 1945, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey, here I am once more.  Today being Sunday I only worked a half day.  In the early afternoon I spent a couple of hours and finished the trinket I'm sending you for our eleventh anniversary.  Do you remember many years ago when I made a ring for you and gave it to you on your birthday?  Wish I could give you this gift in person but I'll postpone collecting the kiss for a couple of months more.

          The mail brought me two letters from you, one from your mother, a box of figs and dates from Uncle Bill, and a dental magazine.  Not Bad! Now to your letters.

          What's the deal with Betty?  Is she staying on or leaving?

           The best thing that could happen to Dick would be for him to be transferred to some base at some distance from any city with no car available.  If he's purposely running himself down he'll have a rude awakening one of these days.  The old body will take so much and no more.  Guess he's too young and irresponsible to realize.

          I'll try to run over to see Simmie again someday this coming week, probably Friday.

          No.  At the meeting, I didn't run into any doctors that I knew from home or school.  All the men in this group seem to be from Chicago and the East Coast.  God alone knows where some of the men are that are out this way.

          I enjoyed the stories you sent me.  I just finished reading "Anna and the King of Siam" but darned if I can remember the authoress' name.  Now I'm reading Joe E Brown's "Your Boy and Mine."  Both are interesting and worth reading.

          After dinner tonight we played cribbage as usual and when we finished we were greeted by a terrific downpour.  It rained so hard that you couldn't see more than a couple of feet in front of you.  Anyway I got out of my regular clothes and changed into a rain outfit I have.  It consists of a rubber overall that ties around the ankles and a rubber slipover jacket with a hood to cover your head.  With that gear on it could rain and rain and I'd never even get damp.  Anyway by the time the two shorts were over it had quieted down considerably but it is still raining.  The movie was "God is My Co-Pilot" with Dennis Morgan and was quite good.

          I'm enclosing a new item from the ship's paper that was interesting.  Anything with sex involved is interesting out here.

          Enough drivel for now so I'll sign off.  Goodnight my Darling, I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you always

Gil

G. I. Honeymoon

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Friday 22 June 1945, 11:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Today has been just the usual thing.  I worked all morning and from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M.  I was just in time to catch a boat going over to the beach and had a few drinks there.  We got back at 5:30. I just had time to wash up before dinner.

          After chow we played our regular game of cribbage.  Tonight's movie was amusing but because of poor direction (I think) it missed being a swell sophisticated comedy.  It was "G.I. Honeymoon" with unknown leads.  The lines are good and in places quite suggestive.  Either the Hay's office turned over a new leaf or fell asleep.

          After the movie we sat around in the wardroom discussing the post-war economy and then our educational system.  It I hadn't quit we'd still be at it.

          I got another letter of the 14th today so here goes.  You've had quite a steady teaching assignment and I know the money will come in handy.  Talking about money, I'm getting $352 a month now.  Deduct $7.50 for insurance and the $225 I send you and I still have considerably over $100 left.  When I get home I'll get $20 less (my sea pay) and will be glad not to get it.

          We haven't had the movies you mention yet but should soon.

          I do hope Betty isn't picking up any money left lying around.  If she'll steal money, how do you know what else she'll walk out with one of these days?

          It's late, I'm sleepy and I still have a stack of mail to censor so goodnight my darling.  I'll see you in dreams.

Love,

Gil

The Navy Way

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Monday 9 April 1945, 7:25 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had my usual busy morning but was all secured by 11:15 AM. The mail man brought me a letter from you and one from Dave.

          After lunch I got a boat and went over to a hospital ship to see about some prosthetic treatment for one of my patients. Then I went ashore for a few beers.

          I got back to the ship at 5:45 just in time for dinner.  I ate chow, visited with the skipper and here I am.

          Some of my questions of yesterday are now answered.  Sorry the Seder was dull.  Naturally you'd expect somewhat of a fashion show at the dinner.  Betty and Oscar can give each other loving glances but when I get back we'll omit the glances. Is it a deal? OK!

          I'll look for the snaps you mention.  I hope there are some of you in the next batch.

          The movie tonight is "The Navy Way" and is supposed to be excellent (I hope).

          I am really slightly high so I'd better sign off. Goodnight my Sweet until tomorrow.  

Loving you always,

Your loving husband,

Gil